Our Story
Ludlow Male Voice Choir is a traditional four-part male voice choir based in South Shropshire, led by musical director Darren Clarke, a professional tenor, and accompanied by pianist Jane Hughes.
The choir was formed in 2006 by David Swain, an excellent tenor with Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir.
David enlisted Margaret Davies as Musical Director and proceeded to recruit singers, three of which are still singing with the choir.
The choir’s original repertoire focussed on Welsh and operatic songs as Margaret was Welsh and had trained as an opera singer.
Local singer and musician Amy Evans took over in 2016; under her leadership membership more than doubled and the choir began giving regular public performances in and around Ludlow, many in joint concerts with other local Male Voice Choirs.
In 2018 the choir performed a number of major concerts, ranging from a superb collaboration with the world-famous Onllwyn Male Choir in South Wales, to a civic ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and a series of fund raising events for local charities.
Amy Evans stepped down in 2021, after which the MD role was taken on by nationally renowned local singer Gemma King and, more recently, Darren Clarke, who, in 2023, led the choir during a record year of fifteen public performances, including collaborations with Marazion MVC from Cornwall and the Morriston Rugby Club MVC at Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
2024 promises to be another bumper year for Ludlow Male Voice Choir, featuring a joint concert with Abertillery in South Wales, with a major highlight being our application to appear at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
LMVC’s repertoire ranges from traditional Welsh hymns like Gwahoddiad and Calon Lan, to Simon & Garfunkel to Rod Stewart, from Matt Monro to Elvis Presley and songs from popular musicals such as Anthem from Chess to opera favourites like Giuseppe Verdi’s Speed Your Journey and stirring standards like Battle Hymn Of The Republic, When The Saints Go Marching In and Nkosi Sikelele Afrika, all supported by our brilliant accompanist Jane Hughes, whose skill, professionalism and patience knows no bounds.
LMVC currently has more than thirty members, divided into four sections: Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritones and Basses, often referred to as TTBB.
Newcomers are always very welcome, and if you like singing do come along to try us out.
You don't have to have sung in a choir before, and don't have to read music, as we provide audio tracks to help you learn the parts.
If you are interested in joining, rehearsals are held on Monday evenings at 7.30pm in the Ludlow Women's Centre.
Ludlow Male Voice Choir is grateful to Bensons Jewellers of Ludlow and Mark Wiggin Estate Agents for their generous support.
